Aldercombe Barton

Aldercombe Barton is a farmhouse with probable origins in the 16th century, undergoing remodelling in the 17th and further alterations in the 19th century. The building is constructed of freestone rubble, with whitewashed and rendered surfaces on the courtyard ranges, and slate gabled roofs, painted with bitumen on the non-courtyard side. A significant feature is an imposing entrance arch dating to the late 15th century, with 17th-century additions to a tall, unrendered rubble wall.

The southeastern range likely originally comprised three rooms and a cross passage, evidenced by a blocked doorway in the east wall contrasting with the present door on the west wall. The south-facing range, opposite the entrance arch, probably dates to the 17th century, originally containing a hall to the right of the present porch, which was remodelled in the 19th century with the resetting of windows. The southwest range, now used as an outbuilding, was also likely remodelled in the 19th century. The south-facing range includes gable end brick chimneys and a centrally located entrance to what was formerly a through passage. This entrance is covered by a 20th-century door beneath a slated pent roof supported by two timber and one iron column. Granite mullioned windows are found throughout the building.

Ground floor windows on the south face include one four-light window with a King mullion, two three-light windows (renewed in the 20th century), three two-light windows, and a fourth four-light window with a blocked second light, alongside five two-light windows. The first-floor windows are all four-light. The north range features gable and brick chimneys, a central 19th-century enclosed gabled porch with bargeboarding and a small slate sundial in the gable, and a 20th-century outer door. A six-light granite mullioned window with a King mullion and hoodmould (with libel stops) is located to the left of the porch. A four-light granite mullioned window with a King mullion is situated to the right of the porch. A first-floor window above the porch is likely a reset example. A 16th-century one-light opening is also present on the first floor, as are three-light granite mullioned windows to the left and right.

The southwest range, used as an outbuilding, has ground floor granite mullioned windows, including one two-light window, two four-light windows, and three two-light windows, all fitted with iron stanchions. Three high openings are present on the first floor under the eaves, featuring timber lights with vertical glazing bars. The fourth side of the courtyard is composed of a stone rubble wall with slate gabled coping. The massive, stone, moulded, four-centred archway from the late 15th century is topped with quatrefoils in the spandrels, and a brick relieving arch. The wall rises above the archway and is surmounted by 17th-century pyramids, with the central pyramid raised on a pyramidal plinth and square classical cornice, possibly incorporating re-used materials. Three granite steps lead up to the archway.

The ground floor room to the right of the south-east range has early 19th-century panelling. The remainder of the interior features 20th-century detailing. The southwest outbuilding range functions as a shippon with a loft above, and the arched frontispiece completes the space enclosure. Historical records indicate that Paul Orchard, Sheriff of Cornwall in 1760, lived at Aldercombe Barton and, through marriage to the Luttrell heiress, acquired the former Augustinian Hartland Abbey. The arched gateway may have originated at Hartland Abbey.